Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Songs

It’s those people who think Yngwie Malmsteen is the greatest guitarist who ever lived.

 

I haven't done an analysis of the list, but I doubt the 250+ songs are from the last 15 years. I take that to mean that because they did the list from scratch, a bunch of older songs dropped off. Wikipedia already has a partial breakdown - There are 3 songs from the 2020s, 30 from the 2010s and 38 from the 2000s. The 60s and 70s are still the two biggest decades, which isn't surprising, given who owns the magazine. "Dreams" is the biggest addition, going from unranked to #9. "Hound Dog" went from #19 to out.

 

Anyone else own this book?

 

I thought there were way too many songs from the last 20 years on this list.

Also not enough Queen.

 

God Only Knows is not better than Good Vibrations which is a hugely important song in the genre. And I Know There's an Answer is better than both.

I don't know what the best Beatles song is, but it is not Strawberry Fields Forever.

 

I realize they updated it to sell copies of the mag, create buzz or whatever - hence the "newbies" but to me a song can't be a "HOFer" until 20 years after it drops. Time is the best test of a song's strength. Do following generations enjoy it? Does it stand up? Does it break ground in a way? Does it have broad appeal to various demographics and generations? Has it influenced other artists and songwriters? Has it been covered a lot? I don't think you can make a clear judgment after at least 10 years and probably 20.

It's interesting to think about artists that were big before Disco and other genres that have come and gone in the last 60 years and which artists have withstood every challenge despite their music not really "fitting" into the genre of the moment.

 

OK, that they got right.

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.

 

In 2020 the same publication ranked Strawberry Fields Forever as the third best Beatles song behind Yesterday and a Day in the Life.

100 Greatest Beatles Songs

 

So I guess we know what Jann Wenner's favorite Beatles song is. Wouldn't even make my top 20.

 

Jesus, what an unbelievably trash ranking that is.

My favorite clocks in at number 84. I would have bet on top 20 at least. RS can kiss my ass.

 

The list isn't a serious attempt at the 500 best songs of all time. It is a playlist of 500 songs, ordered to create controversy. Music has long been like this.

Movie critics tend to be sturdier - or at least they have been so far - but, in recent years, I sense a "actually, movie X from 4 years ago is a better movie than The Godfather, and you can GFY if you don't see it" vibe growing.

 

the cools are taking over the music industry smh how come there isnt more sinatra on this list